Saturday at NatsFest was an interesting day for Denard Span as he interacted with Nationals fans and met many of his new teammates for the first time. Here is Mark’s one-on-one conversation with the new center fielder who is excited to bat leadoff in such a deep lineup.

From the last post Rabbit – that very well might be the answer, although with enough money and the right doctor and drugs a player can probably mask whatever they are testing for. I am still thinking Gio is innocent until there is actual proof. The problem with your calling for a full year on the first violation is that the CBA would need to be totally revamped and that just ain't happening.

Rabbit, 50 games also costs a player almost a third of their salary. As SJM said you can't circumvent the CBA on a whim. 1st offense equals 50. Even ARod who admitted taking steroids for 3 years is only potentially subject to a 50 game suspension because he was never caught; his name leaked out from the list that wasn't supposed to be public.

MicheleS said… FYI. Watching HotStove and they go into detail. Rosenthal basically says unless they come up with significant hard evidence (not what is currently out there), Gio won't get suspended. January 31, 2013 9:29 AM I have said from the onset that ther is still nothing that I have seen there that ties Gio directly and hopefully Gio didn't pay by credit card or check or personally sign for a delivery. He's still not in the clear but based on what I have seen its all extremely circumstantial evidence.I was always naive on Lance Armstrong as I thought it was an international witch hunt against a great American athlete and the whole time he was a lying cheating scum. I defended him many times over as I'm doing now with Gio. I'm not quite as trusting because of that but still believe in proper evidentuary procedures just like Ryan Braun.While I don't see a reason Gio should be suspended based on journal entries, I personally see too many red flags that are adding up in the court of public opinion. I bought off on his dad taking the dietary supplements (MIC) but I don't believe the story that his father was purchasing large quantities of Amino supplements. Now the PINK?Now you add in revelations of Gio doing his training at the Miami Hurricanes facilities and a possible connection to Goins who is now really under the microscope and you possibly have a situation where Goins could become a corroborating witness which could blow this whole thing wide open like the BALCO scandal where they got Victor Conte to spill the beans.

Ghost, not being naive about this. IF MLB comes up with stuff, then guess what, he will get suspended 50 games. Right now what they have is circumstantial like you said.It doesn't say that Gio bought the pink, it just has his stats on the same page (with a lot of stuff blocked out – figure it's other names).

Ghost, sorry, I didn't think you said i was naive. Your points about Armstrong are so valid. All we can do is trust but verify. we all want Gio to be clean and the best thing that can happen is that MLB investigates and does nothing to him (lord knows they won't say anything if he is clean). Gio is now on a list and he will get tested hard for the rest of his career. I also think he needs to clean house on who he associates with – whether that is the UM coach, trainers, agents, "friends", etc.

Exactly NatsLady which goes back to my point when the story broke about "Guilt through Association". James Wagner does a decent investigative job into the Goins/Gio relationship and that is very troubling. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2013/01/30/gio-gonzalez-connected-to-miami-strength-coach-jimmy-goins-also-named-in-clinic-report/I'm concerned that Goins knows a whole lot and could be pressured by threat of jail time into telling some interesting stories.Keep in mind all of the University of Miami alumni that play in the Major Leagues. Pat Burrell, Jason Michaels, Aubrey Huff, Ryan Braun, Gaby Sanchez, Chris Perez, Jemile Weeks, Jon Jay, Cesar Carrillo and Yasmani Grandal and while ARod didn't take his scholarship he was offered there, he has been one of the largest Univ of Miami baseball donors and we know Gio works out there with Goins.

Agree on Gio needing to say "no" to his "friends." Remember when Rizzo et al, were concerned because of the huge number of family members hanging around him at every game, and they sent some of them home? It's a bitter lesson for a guy who bounced between teams and was glad to have an "entourage." Just like when Ankiel was let go. Nats are no longer under the radar.

Also, GMs need to think of players as full-time, year-round employees. There is no longer an "off-season." Training regimens, "personal trainers," etc., need to be under the control of the team and not left to the player's discretion.

MicheleS said… Gio is now on a list and he will get tested hard for the rest of his career. I also think he needs to clean house on who he associates with – whether that is the UM coach, trainers, agents, "friends", etc. Perfect bullseye and love the quotations around "friends". The worst with many of these players is actually family. Watch a few episodes of E60 on ESPN of the Uncle who steal all the money.These fake friends that move to the new city to join the entourage.Ryan Zimmerman is the best example of smarts. In 2006 when he made the team and was a young bachelor making league minimum which was under $400,000 spent his own money to hire an assistant. This person used to work as the videographer for the Nats. His most important job for Ryan was driving his darn car if Ryan even sucked down 1 alcoholic beverage. Smart money spent by a smart young man and Ryan never had 1 issue ever.First thing Gio needs to do is send all these "friends" back to Miami and hire a nerd to be his assistant. It will be the smartest money he ever spent and overall he will save money as he won't be paying for the entourage any more.

NatsLady said… Also, GMs need to think of players as full-time, year-round employees. There is no longer an "off-season." Training regimens, "personal trainers," etc., need to be under the control of the team and not left to the player's discretion. January 31, 2013 11:06 AM I have long felt that way as that is how it is in football and it took a long time to get it to a full-time "job". Baseball isn't close to that yet.I wish all of these young men lived in the DC area and did their workouts under team control.

NatsLady said… Agree on Gio needing to say "no" to his "friends." Remember when Rizzo et al, were concerned because of the huge number of family members hanging around him at every game, and they sent some of them home?I wasn't aware of that but glad to hear it. I wrote a few days ago about being on a road trip and seeing Gio with his boys. Again, friends traveling on road trips don't come cheap.

That's a good point about training control, NatsLady. But it's hard to imagine a team sending a trainer with every player to there off-season home, or being able to complete a vetting process with every guy they work out with or are related to – I mean Gio is going to hang out with his parents regardless of what his dad is using.

MicheleS, Read what I wrote at 10:32 today about Gio and Goins and I think TJ Quinn owes me a Coke. "Now you add in revelations of Gio doing his training at the Miami Hurricanes facilities and a possible connection to Goins who is now really under the microscope and you possibly have a situation where Goins could become a corroborating witness which could blow this whole thing wide open like the BALCO scandal where they got Victor Conte to spill the beans."Barry Bonds' trainer Greg Anderson chose to rot in prison on contempt of court charges as he declined to testify against Bonds. Without Anderson's testimony the Judge ruled that the Conte (BALCO) evidence was inadmissible without corroboration.Roger Clemens' trainer Brian McNamee did testify against Clemens but wasn't a good witness.The key seems to be with the trainer being a credible witness along with the supplier also testifying.What I think you have here is the possibility that the Feds could decide to go after ARod (the big fish) but it generally would take more than Goins as they would need Biogenesis also. If they get Goins, this case could blow up even larger.

Ghost,MicheleS, Without knowing the full evidence it is tough to make a judgment. On the surface it looks like a long shot that MLB will have enough to suspend GIO. For me; I don't like that GIO is popping up with all this scum around him and I have a hard time believing in his complete innocence. If he is truly not guilty of anything more than poor judgement then it behooves him do exactly what you propose ghost and really take stock in who he associates with and he also needs to identify and remove the parasites that attach themselves to you when you are a celebrity.

really take stock in who he associates with and he also needs to identify and remove the parasites that attach themselves to you when you are a celebrity.I'm not saying that's a bad idea–I'm sure it's good advice for most anybody–I'm just glad I don't have strangers on blogs opining on who I'm allowed to be friends with. That would suck, I don't care how much money is in it.

I think I said a couple of days ago the likely best outcome for Gonzalez is a Scotch verdict, "Guilt not proven." The thing to keep an eye on is that the DEA is supposed to be involved. MLB doesn't have subpoena power, or the ability to compel cooperation let alone take testimony under oath. Left to its own devices, the best MLB could do would be another Dowd report, and we all know how much good/damage that one did. The DEA, however, can do all of that and in the recent history has been egging on the major sports leagues by supplying them with documents and witness statements — not, I suspect, because of any genuine shared interest but to put the screws on athletes the government thinks it can't successfully indict/prosecutes.Gonzalez and others named in the Miami story do not have any effective way of coloring the way their case is presented to MLB baseball. And if ever required to respond they will be throwing darts in the dark because they won't know the entire array of "facts" in the MLB's possession. (This is why the appropriate strategy for the time being is to keep their traps shut and respond only when they are pretty certain MLB isn't hiding any more cards — I don't know whether is a time they can be absolutely sure of that.)I think Goins is vulnerable to a thorough DEA investigation. And once the DEA starts peeling the layers off the onion — witness the way the IADA went after Armstrong — "friends" and posse members will be subject to unbelievable (and often not ethical) pressure.Somehow I missed the stories about Gonzalez's "posse," which I find very disturbing. I would hope there's someone around who can give his neck a quick "adjustment" (as the chiropractor says) and get him to start treating his career more professionally.

Meanwhile, in the in the interview, at the end, Span says it's important to team unity to keep what's in the media outside the locker room and off the field, outside the locker room and off the field, and just come together as a team. I think they'll do that. Doesn't mean no one will get hurt, or have a bad year, but I think they will do that.

Sec3, I think your use of the word 'allowed' is misplaced. It's just free advise and it doesn't pertain to friends in any way shape or form. I don't think you'll find any reference to the word friends when you look up parasites in the dictionary.

This is why the appropriate strategy for the time being is to keep their traps shut and respond only when they are pretty certain MLB isn't hiding any more cards — I don't know whether is a time they can be absolutely sure of that.Which is why that's a popular tactic when you're holding a busted flush–let them think you might have the better hand.

I think your use of the word 'allowed' is misplaced. It's just free adviseWell, of course I meant that figuratively. I'm just saying, having my life out there for strangers on a blog who don't know me to feel entitled to give me advice would suck.

it doesn't appear that his current agents are capable of giving him the advice he needs. Or worse, maybe they *are* giving it to him, and he's not taking it, or not capable of implementing it, or worse yet, he IS doing it, and this is all a crock.

I have really been worried about Gio handling this. He is an emotional, volatile guy and this could really get into his head. I hope the team circles the wagons. It is time for everyone to head to Viera and start working toward a common goal. Who knows, maybe this and all the talk about the Braves improving will help them focus, unite and show everyone what they are made of. If they band together early, it should help them fend off all the expected clown questions. Last year "The Shutdown", this year – whatever.

Theo, good point on "guilt". I still don't see how MLB will rule against him but as I wrote the DEA with a big fish like ARod could prompt agents looking to take him down to bring others down with him as an added bonus.Now then, its a very long process and you have to wonder if Goins is going to roll over like McNamee or be like Greg Anderson and go down on his own sword or is there just nothing credible there at all.I would say there is something credible there given the suspensions of Melky and Grandal and Colon for positive tests.

Goins supposedly was getting from Biogensis actual anabolic steroids as they listed Winstrol which is Stanozolol. Winstrol is shaped like the Pentagon and has a big 10 on it. You can still get it legally by perscription. If Goins was getting it on his $400 a month tab, who was he giving it to?The reason players stopped using it as the drug of choice is that its more easily detectable by today's tests while HGH until now wasn't tested for -BUT- if you know your testing cycle a player could get tested and know their next test isn't for an additional 2 to 3 months and may take a cycle of Winstrol right after being tested and almost immediately get stronger.This is why I theorize some players get on these amazing hot streaks. I don't want to name names but look at someone who was cold for a few months and then started hitting homers like they were swatting beach balls.I spoke to a pitcher who said to me that "a player has to be dumb to get caught under the old system".How do you really fix this? Every player should be subjected to at least one surprise test. Its the only way to get this game back to a truly fair and even playing field.I think you will find that a big HR hitter is a player who hits 20 HRs a year much like how we thought 40 years ago.

Ghost, a very interesting, though impossible, suggestion was that teams forfeit games–including the game on Feb 3, if it can be proved Lewis knowingly took PEDs. Suppose the Nats had to forfeit 10 games? That would pretty much shut down ANY clubhouse acceptance of using. Wouldn't be fair to the clean players, absolutely. But it would shake things up.

NatsLady said… Ghost, a very interesting, though impossible, suggestion was that teams forfeit games–including the game on Feb 3, if it can be proved Lewis knowingly took PEDs. Suppose the Nats had to forfeit 10 games? That would pretty much shut down ANY clubhouse acceptance of using. Wouldn't be fair to the clean players, absolutely. But it would shake things up. January 31, 2013 2:07 PM Can you imagine if the Giants had to forfeit games due to Melky?I still believe the key is additional surprise testing. I honestly believe that a few of the biggest names still use and have out-smarted the system. You also have to wonder how long ARod has been a user. Could it go back to High School and prior?

NatsLady said… Ghost, unfortunately, I think Justin Upton–and maybe BJ also–will improve in the ATL. This might turn out to be one of those trades that is better for both parties. January 31, 2013 2:20 PM I think Justin Upton has potential to be a top player. BJ Upton is a major downgrade from Bourn.I still think if JUpton meets Prado's OPS its still a net loss overall as I don't see BJ Upton achieving the value Bourn had and you can't easily replace Chipper and they didn't get close.I believe the Braves will be around 89 to 92 wins this year.

I'm starting to think that being older is much better when it comes to sports. Prior to the 60's there was no widespread performance cheating. Even in the 60's to early 70's players wouldn't take steroids as the stigma was you would go "muscle bound".Then in the 80's players started using Dianabol and they felt like the found the fountain of youth. The younger players started taking it and it became epidemic.I want to applaud the few players that weren't taking steroids!

Ghost, Testing is great but how many times was Lance tested and passed? there's an industry designed to cheat the system and avoiding detection is a major component of this industry. You won't ever eradicate it because the money is too enticing and humans are for the most part weak creatures. As far as the feds go I am not sure they have the appetite to go through this again after they failed to convict Bonds (for the most part) and Clemens even though they had pretty strong cases against them. I think they realize that the public doesn't really have the stomach to actually send these guys to prison.

'I feel sorry for the kids of today that are crushed when their sports heroes are commiting crimes, bad behavior, and cheating at the sports they play in.' Ghost, I think it was always there going all the way back to the black sox scandal. I think that the more money entered the sport the more sophisticated the cheaters and their support groups became.

JD, agree. I think we oversimplify how "good" the old days were. I'm reading a bio of Harry Truman right now, and it wasn't so good– segregation, fear of the atom bomb, Korean War, virulent prejudice against Asians, women expected to be "house-wives," and on, and on. Plus, not much air-conditioning and no cell-phones.

I think it was always there going all the way back to the black sox scandal.Quite a bit further, as a matter of fact. Baseball and gambling scandals go back at least as far as 1865. No, they didn't have modern biochemistry, but throwing a game, or winning because somebody else threw the game, are still artificial results. Humans cheating, not a new thing.

(pre-posting)And now for something completely different. A where are they now piece on the 2005 Nationals, courtesy of former NJ Blogfather Barry Svrluga. LOL at one of the two "last men standing" in the bigs. Ha! Take that, FO! You never should have sold him to begin with. (humph!)